Meat cutting machine



United States Patent [11] 3,548,901 1 [72] Inventor llaroldEScllaller2,177,600 10/1939 Schmidt 146/67 NY. 2,711,270 6/1955 Gulbrandsen 146/67{2 11 Appl. No. 651,922 2,937,679 5/1960 Dorfel 146/67 [221. Filed July7,196! 2,966,186 12/1960 Garapolo l46/95 [45] Patented Dec. 22,19703,133,571 5/1964 l-lensgeli et al. 146/95 [73] Assign g smith 8 sonsofliobam Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie N Y Attorney-Sommer,Weber & Gastel of New York v ABSTRACT: A meat cutting machine includhlga rat R5516 54] MEAT ems MACHINE annular bowl dri en by a variable speedhydraulic motor and a 6 cm 20mm knife assembly in sald bowl driven by anelectric motor at 5 Us CL 146 67 predetermined selected speeds and anhyd aullc system for w I 1 operating accessories on the meat cutterincluding a cover for M 4/ 2 2 the knife, an unloader and or loaders fordumping meat c into the bowl, the bowl formlng a labyrlnth seal at itsouter [50] ileldofsclrdl 146/67, edge with a bow] ring portion f thehousing to prevent meat 95(cm'ml'y) which can provide a focal point forcontamination, from entering underneath the bowl, and the bowl beingcentrally [56]. Ram cm suspended by a shaft which drives said bowl, andelectrical cir- UNITED STATES PATENTS cuit means for the machine whichselectively pennit either l,907,62l 5/l933 Van Berkelm 146/102 manual orautomatic programmed operation of the machine.

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PATENTED UEE22 I970 INVENTOR.

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, 1 MEAT CUTTING MACHINE BACKGROUND or Tire INVENTION Thepresent-invention relates to an improved meat cutting machine of thetype which is capable of chopping large quantities of meat into smallportions in .an extremely rapid manner.

In the past, meat cutting machineswere generally not too versatile, thatis, certain machines were used for providing a coarse-cut product andother machines provided .ultrafine emulsions. In addition, in thepast,jthere has been a problem with respect to sanitation in meatcutting machines in the sense that cut meat could enter the spacebetween the bowl and the housing of the machine and provide focal pointsfor contamination. Furthermore, in the past meat cutting machines weregenerally manually'operat'ed, that is, an operator would select the bowlspeed and the knife speed and time the length of cutting. However, thisgave rise to. certain problems in that the quality. of the finishedproduct often varied with the skill of the operator. Considering thatmachines of the type described here are capable of chopping a load of800 pounds at one time, an error in cutting could very often give riseto a large economic lossif the resulting product was not suited for itsintended purpose. It is with the overcoming of the foregoingshortcomings that the present invention is concerned..-

. SUMMARY orrue INVENTION It is accordingly one object of the presentinvention to provide an improved-meat cutting machine which is capableof providing infinite combinations of relative speeds of the bowl andknives, thereby making the'machine manifestly suitable for any cuttingrequirement, from a coarse cut product to ultrafine emulsions; A relatedobject of the present invention is to provide an improved meat cuttingmachine which has an unique drive system in which the knives are drivenby an electric motor and the bowl is driven by an infinitely variablespeed hydraulic motor. A further related object of the present inventionis to provide an improved meat cutting machine in which auxiliaryhydraulic circuits are provided for driving the accessories associatedwith the machine so that these will operateindependently ofthe-hydraulic drive for the bowl, thereby obviating any possibility thatthe operation of the auxiliary equipment will in any way interfere withbowl operation. Another object of the present invention. is to providean improved drive for a meat cutting machine in which the bowl iscentrally suspended in an unique manner so as to remain substantiallybalanced under all loading conditions. A related object of the presentinvention is to provide a stabilizing construction between the bowl andits supporting structure which normally is inactive but comes into playonly to prevent the bowl from moving offcenter when unbalanced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved meatcutting machine having an improved sealing arrangement between the bowland its supporting structure, thereby practically obviating anypossibility of contamination resulting from the entry of meat particlesbetween the bowl and its supporting structure. A related object of thepresent in- 1 extends into the bowl transversely to its direction ofrotation whereby the bowl brings meat into engagement with the knives.The bowl includes an improved labyrinth seal between its edge and thebowl skirt associated therewith to prevent meat particles, which canprovide focal points for contamination, from entering the space betweenthe bowl and the skirt. The hydraulic drive for the bowl is controlledby an electric motor which varies the flow from a pump to the motor tothereby adjust the speed of thebowl to any desired value. therebyproviding efficient speed control in a simple manner.

' In addition, an automatic programming circuit is associated ,withextremely great accuracy.

The present invention will be more fully understood when the followingportions of the specification are read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the improvedmachine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view taken from the left of FIGS.

1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a view partially in cross section taken substantially alongline 5-5 of FIG. 2 and showing the various components utilized to drivethe machine;

FIG. 6 is a view partially in cross section taken substantially alongline 6-6 of FIG. 1 and showing the manner in which the bowl-issuspended;

view taken from the right of FIG. 7 is an enlarged view partially incross section taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 1 and showingmechanism for suspending the bowl scraper,

FIG. 8 is a view partially in cross section taken substantially alongline 8-8 of FIG. 6 and showing the relationship between the bowl and thebowl scraper;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the manner in which the plug ismounted in the bottom of the bowl;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view partially in cross section takensubstantially along line 10-10 of. FIG. 1 and showing in enlarged formthe labyrinth seal and the grease fitting for conducting grease to thelabyrinth. seal between the bowl and the bowl ring;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially alongline 11-11 of FIG. 1 and showing the spindle assembly and cover which isassociated with the knives;

FIG. 12 is a view partially in cross'section taken substantially alongline 12-12 of FIG. 11 and showing the relationship between the spindleassembly and the cover;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view in cross section taken substantially alongline 13-13 of FIG. 1 and showing the mechanism for effecting the sealingrelationship between the cover and the bowl;

FIG. 14 is a view taken substantially along line 14-14 of FIG. 11 andshowing the relationship between the knives,

consistent quality. A related object of the present invention is toprovide an improved meat cutting machine which includes an automaticprogramming circuit which is extremely simple and efficient inconstruction and operates without requiring excessive relays or othercomplexwiring. Other objects and attendant advantages will readily'beperceived hereafter.

The improved-meat cutting machine of the present-invention includes acentrally supported annular bowl which is driven by a variable speedhydraulic motor. A knife assembly bowl and cover when the cover isclosed;

'FIG. 15 is a view, partially in cross section, taken substantiallyalong line 15-15 showing the unloader mechanism and its relationship tothe bowl and bowl ring;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 16-16of FIG.. 15 and showing. the mechanism for adjusting the unloader;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the control panel which ismounted on the machinez' v FIG. 18 is a schematic hydraulic diagram forthe machine:

FIG. 19 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram for the machine; and

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of a programming card which isutilized to effect automatic operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Broadly, the improved meatcutting machine includes a base assembly 11 adjustably mounted on fourfrustoconical resilient pads 12 and mounting in turn a generallyinverted frustoconical annular bowl ring 13 which surrounds an annulartrough-like bowl 14. A knife assembly 15 (FIG. 11) is mounted on aspindle assembly 16 which in turn is mounted on the base 11. Aselectively openable cover 17 is also mounted on base assembly 11. Anunloader 18 for removing chopped meat from bowl 14 is mounted on bowlring 13 for movement into and out of bowl 14 for selectively unloadingmeat by causing it to move into chute 19 mounted on bowl ring 13 fromwhich it passes to suitable containers or conveyors (not shown).

In its more specific aspect, base assembly 11 is fabricated from platesteel to a rectangular configuration in plan and includes front wall 19,rear wall 20 and side walls 21 and 22. As can be seen from FEG. 5, thebottom portions of walls 19, 20, 21 and 22 are turned under at theirlowermost portions to form flanges 19'20'21' and 22'respectively. Weldedto the flanges 19'20'21 and 22 are plates l9"2021" and 21"respectively.Tapped apertures 23, 24, 25 and 26 are located at the junctions of theplates, and threaded screws 27 extend there through and are locked atany desired elevation by the lock nuts 28 associated therewith to levelthe machine. Preferably the screws 27 are installed with their headsengaging pads 12 to thereby provide a bearing surface on said pads.Plates of metal, not shown, cover the tops of resilient pads 12 todistribute the weight of the machine over the entire surface of thepads. I

Channels 29 and 30 have their opposite ends welded to plates 19" and20". These channels in turn mount elongated track members 31 and 32 onspaced blocks 33 (FIG. 2) underlying each of these elongated tracks.Track 31 has slot 31' running longitudinally thereof and track 32 hasslot 32' running longitudinally thereof. .Mounted on tracks 31 and 32 isa two-speed electric motor 34 having four spaced feet 35 through whichbolts 36 extend, said bolts riding in the slots 31' and 32' of tracks 31and 32, respectively. It will be appreciated that when these bolts aretightened, motor 34 is firmly affixed to the base of machine 10.However, in the event it is desired to adjust the position of motor 34,as for example, as required in tightening the belt 38 which is mountedon pulley 37, it is merely necessary to loosen each of said bolts 36 andthereafter adjust bolts 39 (FIG. 5) which are mounted in upstanding endplates 40 at the ends of tracks 31 and 32. Electric motor 34 is for thepurpose of driving knives 15 through belt 38 which extends between motorpulley 37 and knife spindle pulley 41.

The remainder of the drive for the machine is hydraulic, that is, thedrive for rotating bowl 14, for opening and closing cover 17, and forraising and lowering unloader 18. The hydraulic pressure for drivingbowl 14 is provided by a unit denoted by numeral 42 and being shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, hydraulic unit 42 being mounted on spaced channels 43which extend across channels 44 which extend between plates 19 and 20".Hydraulic unit 42 is for the purpose of providing a source of hydraulicpressure, and essentially includes a pump 222 (FIG. 18) and a quantityof hydraulic fluid. The output of the pump 222 associated with unit 42drives hydraulic motor 45 which is coupled to gear reducer 46 which, inturn, is mounted on base 47 consisting of upper and lower plates 48 and49 connected by side plates 50, said base 47 being suitably attached tochannels 44 (FIG. 2).

Also mounted within housing 11 is an hydraulic unit 51 including anhydraulic pump 262 (FIG. 18). Unit 51 is mounted on a base 52 which issuitably secured to plates 22' and 20. Unit 51 serves the function ofproviding pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the hydraulic motorsassociated with the cover assembly 17, the unloader assembly 18, andcertain loaders (not shown). It is to be especially noted that unit 51is completely separate and independent of hydraulic unit 42. Therefore,the operation of the accessories in no way affects the bowl. Door 53 islocated in wall 21 for providing access to the elements on that side ofhousing 11 and door 54 is located in wall 22 to provide access to thoseelements located on that side of the housing. v l

The meat which is to be cut is placed into bowl 14 which. as notedabove, is essentially an annular trough having a central hub portion 55(FIG. 6')'and an annular lip or rim 56. An annular inner rim 57, FIG."6', mounts a plate 58 by means of spaced screws 59. A shaft'60 isaffixed within a housing 61 mounted on plate 58. Shaft'60is' effectivelykeyed to hollow rotatable shaft 61' in gear reducer 46. A shim 60' isused to vary the elevation of shaft 60, shim 60' being located betweenshaft 61 and collar 62 on shaft 60. Bowl 14 is supported only at thecentral location at shaft 60, thereby obviating any necessity to drivethe bowl from an offcenter position. An outer lower annular rim 62 isprovided on bowl 14. This rim includes a lower surface 63 which runswith a clearance of approximately .005 of an inch above the top surfaces64 of bearing blocks 65 (FIG. 1) which are spacedly mounted on supports66 (FIG. 6) extending inwardly from bowl ring 13. As can be seen fromFIG. 1, there are three bearings 65 mounted on bowl ring 13 atcircumferentially spaced points. The only time that the undersurface 63of rim 62 will engage any of bearings 65 is in the event that the bowl14 becomes unbalanced. Otherwise, the bowl "14 will clear bearings 65.Actually, therefore, bearings 65 function as a safety device to preventexcess deflection of bowl l4 and its associated structure in theevent-of severe unbalancing. At this point it is to be noted that bowl14 includes a single plug 67 which is threaded into it. Plug 67 includesa nut head 68 which can receive a wrench. Plug 67 is removed when it isdesired to wash bowl 14, the wash water draining through open hole 69when plug 67 is removed.

As can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 4, bowl 14 rotates while bowl ring 13remains stationary. Furthennore, it can be seen that there is'a spacebetween the outside of bowl 14 and the inside of bowl ring 13. If meatparticles should accumulate in this space, they could serve as a focalpoint for contamination. Accordingly, an unique sealing arrangement isprovided to prevent meat particles from entering between bowl 14 andbowl ring 13. This seal is best shown in FIG. 10 and comprises alabyrinth 70. More specifically, bowl ring 13 includes a pair of annularupwardly extending ridges 71 and bowl 14 includes in the rim 56 thereofannular grooves 72 which receive ridges 71. In addition, rim 56 includesan annular downwardly extending ridge 73 which is received in annulargroove 74 in bowl ring 13. The outside of rim 56 includes a lip 75 whichis extremely close to edge 76 of the bowl ring. It is to be noted thatthe clearance between the adjacent parts of the labyrinth seal isgreater than .005 of an inch, which is the clearance between rim 62 andbearings 65. Therefore, in the event there should ever be a sufficientunbalance to cause rim 62 to engage bearings 65, this will occur beforethe sides of the labyrinth seal can engage each other, therebypreventing destruction or enlargement of this seal.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2, 4 and 10, a plurality of grease fittings 77are positioned at circumferentially spaced locations on bowl ring 13.These fittings are of the type normally used for lubricating automobileparts and machine parts. In communication with each fitting 77 is a bore78 in bowl ring 13 for conducting grease into labyrinth 70. Inoperation, therefore, the bowl is rotated and grease is supplied to thelabyrinth through the grease fittings 77 and the grease will occupy theentire annular clearance between the adjacent parts forming thelabyrinth seal to thereby function as a packing which prevents meatparticles from entering into the space between bowl l4 and bowl ring 13.

As noted above, the meat cutting machine of the present inventionincludes a knife assembly 15 which is used to cut the meat which iscarried to. it by the rotation of the bowl 14 in a counterclockwisedirection in FIG. 1. More specifically, a plurality of knife blades 79are mounted in axially spaced relationship on the end of spindle 80which, in turn, is mounted at spaced locations-in bearings 81 and 82;carried by spindle housing 83. Spindle 80 is driven from electric motor34 by means of belts 38 which encircle motor pulley 37 and pulley may beof the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,l 12 issued to Harold E.Schaller. The spindle assembly 16 has a flange 84 at the end of 'housing83 and this flange isattached to flange 85 on base housing 11 by meansof a plurality of spaced screws 86, only one being shown in FIG. 11. Ascan be seen from FIG. 4

11, the underside of housing 83 which bowl rim 56 rides. i

The machine 10 is also provided with a knife cover assembly 17 which isinthe closed position in the drawings but which is opened to permitaccess to the knifeassembly for cleaning or replacement, as required.More specifically, cover 17 includes a housing portion 88 having a frontwall 89, a side wall 90, and a rear, wall. 91.and a top wall .92. Toopen and close cover housing88, a hydraulic motor 93 (FIGS. 3 and 4)consisting of a piston 96 and cylinder 93' is provided. The lower end ofcylinder 93' is pinned to bracket '94 by means of pin 95, bracket 94being. attached to rear wall of the. housing. The piston-96 whichextendsfrom cylinder 93' is pinned to arm 97 which is rigidly keyed toshaft 98 having its opposite ends joumaled in spaced brackets 99(FIG. 1) having vertical portions 100 rigidly secured to rear wall'20 ofhousing 11. Shaft 98in turn has a pair of spaced arms 101 extendingtherefrom which mount plate 102 which is secured to the rear 91 of coverhousing 88 by means of suitable bolts, not shown, Arms 97 and 101function as a bellcrank lever in conjunction with shaft 98 to pivotcover housing 88 in a clockwise direction (FIG. 4) to close it and acounterclockwise direction to open it, as piston 96 moves downwardly andupwardly, respectively. 1 v

The cover housing 88 includes an end 103 which lies in contiguousrelationship to flange 85 when'the cover is closed (FIG. 11). Inaddition, it includes an inverted U.-shaped stiffening rib 104 (FIGS. 11and 12), said stiffening rib extending across walls 89, 91 and 92. Inaddition, cover housing 88 includes an inverted U-shaped wall 105integral with housing walls 89, 91 and 92. Wall 105 has an opening 106which is adjacent the edge107 of plate 105, said edge 107 being receivedbetween the end of spindle housing 83 and the hub structure (notnumbered) which mounts the knives on spindle 80. This effectivelyprovides a seal-like arrangement'which prevents flying meat from leavingchamber 108 which is defined by plate 105 and wall 90, and portions oftop wall 92, front wall 89 and rear wall 91. In other words, the meatwhich is turbulently being flung about within chamber 108 cannot fly tothe right in FIG. 11 onto spindle housing 83 but is confined withinchamber 108 for cutting efiiciency. It will be appreciated that the meatto be cut is fed to knife assembly 15 by the rotation of bowl 14.

A pair of spaced screws 109, (FIGS. 4 and 12), extend upwardly fromplate 100 and have locknuts 110 mounted thereon. These screws functionto provide a positive stop which prevents the cover housing 88 fromexceeding a predetermined movement in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 12 (clockwise in FIG. 4). This is necessitated because pressure ismaintained in the fluid motor 93 while the cover housing 88 is closedand therefore the limit of movement of cover housing 88 in acounterclockwise direction (FIG. 12)

must be predetermined to prevent it from acting as a brake on therotating bowl 14. It is spaced bolts 109 which limit this respect, anarcuate stepped metal sealing strip 113 is attached to the lower edge114 of the portion of cover 88 which is adjacent to rim 56. This portionis a wall 114' (FIG. 12) which forms the bottom portion of the cover.Sealing strip 113 is arcuate and extends from an area substantiallyadjacent the right side of spindle housing 83 in FIG. 12 all the way tothe portion of wall 90 of the housing. There is a clearance between theundersurface 115 of sealing strip 113 and the ,top of the rim 56 of bowl14 when the cover housing 88 is in closed position so that it does notact as a brake. Sealing strip 113 is attached to cover housing 88 bymeans of a plurality of longitudinally spaced screws 116. As can beseen, sealing strip 113 includes a lip 117 which provides a lapped jointwith the inner edge of rim 56 to thereby effect an extremely goodsealing engagement therewith.

It is to be noted at this point that a safety switch 120 is mounted onwall 89 of cover housing88. This switch can be closed only when thecover housing'88 is closed, by virtue of counterclockwise movement byvirtue of the engagement between the heads 112 of bolts 109 and theundersurface 111' of plate 102.

As can thus be seen from FIG. 1, the cover housing 88 includes a portionwhich overlies rim 56 of bowl 14. Also see FIG. 13. This portionincludes a seal to prevent flying meat from being thrown outwardly fromthe machine. In this engaging a fixed part of the machine. This is asafety feature in that the safety switch 120, as will become moreapparent hereafter, is closed, only when the cover is closed, to permitthe circuit to be completed to the knife assembly 15. Therefore, knifeassembly 15 cannot operate unless the cover housing 88 is closed.

A bowl scraper arrangement is provided for separating the chopped meatfrom the inside surface of bowl 14 as it leaves the knife zone. In thisrespect, it can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 8; that anarcuate band 121 hasone end thereof affixed to bracket 122 which is resiliently mounted onthe planar end ing of a plug 125 which can move up and down in aperture126, said plug receiving the end of screw 127 which has its head 128received in plug 129 which is threaded into housing 130 anypredetermined amount. An helical spring 131 encircles screw 127 and hasits upper end bearing on the underside of plug 129 and its lower endbearing on plug portion 132 which is an extension of plug 125. It cantherefore be seen that plug 125, which carries bracket 122, is biased toa lowermost position by-spring 131 but it can yield upwardly against thebias of the spring. The other end of band scraper 121 is mounted on abracket (not shown) which is pivotally attached to the underside ofcover housing88.

- Also mounted on the end of portion 123 of cover 17 is a dust plate 133which tends to confine dustin the knife zone, said dust being formed byflour or other powdered material which may be added to the meat beingchopped. Plate 133 is secured to the edge of cover portion 123 by meansof a suitable hinge 134 to permitplate 133 to be raised or lowered asrequired.

Also included in the machine of the present invention is an unloaderassembly 18 which is used to selectively remove chopped meat from bowl14. In this respect it will be ap preciated that bowl 14 rotates in acounterclockwise direction in'FIG. 1. Thus, the meat which leaves thecutting zone will move toward disc 136. In the drawings disc 136 isshown in a position wherein it obstructs or intercepts the chopped meatwithin bowl 14. However, it will be appreciated that during the cuttingoperation the disc 136 is in a retracted position wherein it lies abovebowl 14. More specifically, disc 136 is mounted on shaft 137 (FIGS. 1and 15) which is located within housing portion 138 and carries gear 139which meshes with worm 140 mounted on shaft 141 which is coupled tosplined shaft 142 by coupling 143, said latter elements being locatedwithin housing portion 144 which can telescope relative to housingportion 145 when the screws 146 (FIG. 16) ex tending between lips 147,are loosened. Splined shafl 142, in turn, is received in telescopingrelationship within tubular shaft 146 which in turn is driven by amotor, not shown, carried within motor housing 147.

An hydraulic motor 148 consisting of a cylinder 149 and a piston 150 hasits lower end attached to bowl ring 13 by means of bracket 151 whichpivotally mounts the lower end of cylinder 149 at pin 152. Piston 150,in turn, is pinned at 153 to lobe 154 at the end of motor housing 147.It will be appreciated that whenever piston 150 is pulled into cylinder149 the motor housing 147 and its associated housings 144 and 145 willpivot in a clockwise direction (FIG. 15) by virtue of the pivotalconnection at 155 between arm 156 extending downwardly from motorhousing 147 and bracket 157 mounted on the top ledge 158 of bracket 151which is secured to said bowl ring by screws, not numbered. In order tolimit the downward or counterclockwise movement in FIG. 15 of theunloader as it is moved into position into bowl 14, a screw 159 isprovided which can be adjusted upwardly or downwardly by virtue of beingthreaded into arm 160 extending from bracket 157, said screw 159 beinglocked in adjusted position by means of a lock nut 161. A plow 160whichis essentially a blade, lies across the face of disc 136 in thedirection from which the meat is coming and is supported by a bracket(not shown) which is attached to housing 138. This plow lies betweenshaft 137 and the edge of the disc toward chute 19 so that as meat pilesup against disc 136 after it is rotated upwardly by the rotation of saiddisc 136, it will move against the plow 16 and the rotation of disc 136will cause the cut meat to be forced to the right in FIG. 1 onto chute19. Disc 136 is circular but it is so canted and offcenter relative toannular bowl 114, which in cross section is formed on a radius of acircle, so that the edge 162 of disc 136 will lie very close to theinner surface of bowl 14 to intercept practically all of the meat whichis moved against it. As noted above, disc 136 can be moved into and outof the bowl by suitable energization of hydraulic motor 148.

At this point it should be noted that the reason the unloader disc 136is moved out of the path of movement of the meat is because many timesin order to get the desired size to the meat which is cut the bowl hasto make a predetermined number of revolutions at a predetermined speed.Therefore, after the meat is dumped into the bowl and the unloaderassembly 18 is out of the way, the bowl will be caused to make a certainnumber of revolutions. After the meat has been chopped to its desiredconsistency, the unloader disc is pivoted into the path of the meat inthe bowl to effect the unloading in the manner described in detailabove.

In FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 the electrical and hydraulic circuits aredisclosed and these will be described with reference to the previouslydescribed mechanical portions of the present machine. The control panel170 is located on the front of the machine but is shown in FIG. 17 inenlarged form. The machine is capable of providing either manual orautomatic operation. The manual operation will be described first. Inorder to start the machine, switch 171 is moved from its off position toa manual position wherein armature 172 engages contacts 173. Thereafter,either switch 174 or 175 is actuated to provide high or low speedoperation of knives 15. More specifically, if switch 174 is actuated,armature 176 will engage the contacts associated therewith andsimultaneously armature 177 will move out of engagement with itscontacts. This will cause a circuit to be completed between L1 and L2via normally closed emergency stop switch 178, lead 179, armature 172,lead 180, normally closed knife stop switch 181, lead 182, armature 176,lead 183, normally closed armature 184, lead 185, normally closed switcharmature 186, lead 187, normally closed overload relay 188, lead 189,relay coil 190 which actuates the contacts on motor 34 (FIG. whichprovide slow speed operation, cover limit switch 120 (see also FIG. 2)lead 191, and normally closed overload relays 192. At this point it willbe noted that the circuit for actuating knife driving motor 34 can beenergized only if limit switch 120 is closed which is the condition itassumes only when the housing cover 83 is closed to encircle the knives15. After switch 174 is closed, contacts 193' will close to maintain themotor energized after switch 174 is released.

If it is desired to cause high speed operation of electric motor 34,switch 175 is actuated to cause armature 184 to move away from itscontact and cause armature 193 to engage its contact which will cause acircuit to be established from lead 182 through lead 194, lead 195,armature 193, lead 196. armature 177, lead 197, armature 198, lead 199,overload relay 200, lead 201, motor relay coil 202 which causes themotor to operate on fast speed, and lead 203 to limit switch 120. Uponthe actuation of switch in the foregoing manner holding contacts 204will close to maintain the motor energized. The power-on light 205 isplaced in parallel across line L1 AND L2 by leads 106and 207 to informthe operator that power has been supplied to these lines from the masterswitch, not shown. H

When either the slow or fast switches 174 or 175 have been energized inthe above described manner, normally open contacts 208 or 209, dependingon which switch was energized, will close to complete a circuit from L1through lead 210, light 211 and lead 212. This will show that the knivesare in operation when the cover is closed inasmuch as this cannot bevisually observed from certain areas of the machine. In the event thatit should be desired to stop motor 34, it is merely necessary to depressswitch 181 to cause the armature thereof to move out of engagement withthe contact with which it is associated, and this will disrupt the flowof current through the line in which the switch is located to therebycause either one of the holding switches 193 or 204 to open so that whenarmature 181 returns to its position shown in FIG. 19, there .will be nocircuit to motor 34. In the event it is desired to disrupt the flow ofcurrent to any portion of the circuit described hereinbefore orhereafter, it is merely necessary to actuate switch 178 to cause thearmature thereof to disrupt the flow of current through line L1.

After the knives have been started in the above-described manner, it isnecessary to cause bowl 14 to rotate. This is achieved by closing bowlstart switch 213 to thereby complete a circuit between line L1 and L2via lead 179, armature 172, lead 214, lead 215, normally closed bowlstop switch 216, lead 217, now closed switch 213, lead 218, normallyclosed switch 219, lead 220, the relay 221 which starts an electricmotor (not shown) in unit 42 which drives the pump 222 (FIG. 18) in unit42, lead 223, overload relays 224 and lead 225 to L2. Operation of thepump 222 will continue until such time as bowl stop switch 216 isactuated to break the circuit between leads 215 and 217. At this pointit is to be noted that a counter 233 is provided for the purpose ofkeeping track of the number of revolutions that the bowl 14 makes, asthis is an indication of the consistency of the chopped meat. A dog, notshown, 15 provided on bowl 14 and it hits limit switch 226 once everyrevolution of bowl 14 to thereby complete a circuit from lead 214 toline L2 via lead 227, limit switch 226, lead 228, normally closed switch229, lead 230, counter solenoid 231 and lead 232. Every time solenoid231 is energized counter 233 will register. Whenever it is desired toreset counter 223 it is merely necessary to close reset switch 234 tozero the counter by establishing a circuit from leads 214 to line L2 vialead 235, reset switch 234, lead 226counter 233 and lead 237.

It is desirable to control the bowl speed and in this respect the bowl14 can rotate at any speed between 5 and 20 revolutions per minute. Inorder to adjust the speed, the flow of hydraulic fluid from pump 222 isvaried by a Bodine unit 238 (FIG. 18) consisting of an electric motor239 (FIG. 19) and a gear reducer 240 which varies the flow through valve241 associated with pump 222 (see FIG. 18). If it is desired to causethe bowl 14 to rotate at a lower speed, switch 242, (FIGS. 17 and 19) isclosed to complete a circuit from L1 to L2 via lead 243, switch 242,lead 244, certain windings in motor 239 and lead 245. This will tend torestrict orifice 241 and lessen the flow from pump 222. If it is desiredto speed up bowl 14, switch 246 is closed to complete a circuit from L1to L2 via lead 247, switch 246, lead 248, another set of windings inmotor 239 and lead 245. When the circuit is completed in this manner,the orifice 241 will open to cause a greater flow of hydraulic fluidfrom pump 222. Suitable conduits 249, 250 and 251 provide the flow toand from hydraulic motor 45, FIGS. 18 and 4. A tachometer drive unit 252(FIG. 5) is mounted on gear box 46 and communicatesthe speed totachometer indicator 253 on instrument panel 170. When the operator seesthe actual speed of rotation of bowl 14 on tachometer 253, he can thenenergize either switch 242 or 246 to alter this speed in the'properdirection as required for the particular meat then being cut.

As can be seen from FIG. 18, there is an independent drive between pump222 and motor 45. Pump 222 serves no other function. However, there isanother pump unit 51 consisting of an electric motor (not shown) and apump 262 for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the otherportions of the machine, such as the cover housing 88, the unloaderassembly 18 and loaders to be described hereafter.

If it is desiredto raise cover housing 88, it is merely necessary toclose switch 254, FIG.v 19, to complete a circuit from L1 and L2 vianormally closed overload contacts 255 and 256, lead 257, now closedswitch 254, lead258, solenoid 259 and lead 260. This solenoid is shownin .FIG. .18 and will cause valve 261 to move from its neutral positiontoa' raised position wherein hydraulic fluid can flow from pump 262located in unit 51, to chamber 263 in cylinder 93 via conduit 264, valveconduit 265 now in communication therewith, conduit. 266, metering valve277, and conduit 278. By adjusting the size of orifice 277, the rate atwhich hydraulic fluid is admitted to chamber 263 can be controlled to.thereby control the rate at which the cover opens. The exhaust fluidfrom chamber 279 will flow through conduit 280, metering valve 281,conduit 282, valve conduit 283, and conduit 284 fromwhence it eventuallyflows to sump 285, as will be described more fully hereafter. If it isdesired to lower the cover into operating posi tion, it is merelynecessary to close switch. 286 to complete a circuit from line L1 toline L2 via normally-closed overload switches 255 and 256, lead 257, nowclosed switch 286, lead 287, cover lowering relay solenoid 288, and lead289. As can be seen from FIG. 18, when relay 288 is energized, theconduits 290 and 291 in valve 261 will move into alignment with conduits284 and 264, respectively, to cause a flow of hydraulic fluid relativeto cylinder 93 which is reversed to that described above for raising thecover. In other words, the high pressure hydraulic fluid will beconducted to chamber 279 and chamber 263 will be exhausted. f r

It will be noted that when the valve 261 returns to its neutral positionshown in FIG. 18, conduits 2,8,2 and 266 are blocked by the valve sothat hydraulic pressure remains in chamber 263 to force .the coverclosed against opening, that is, the cover is maintained closedhydraulically by the trapping of hydraulic fluid in chamber 263 ofcylinder 93.

.The valve body 261 is such that when it is inthe central position shownin FIG. 18, there is communication between conduit 264 and 284 throughthe valve body. This permits pressurized hydraulic fluid from pump 262to be available for operating the other accessories of the machine asrequired when valve body 261 is in the'position shown in FIG. 18.However, when it is in a position wherein it is conducting fluid to orfrom motor 93, there can be no flow of hydraulic fluid to the remainderof the hydraulically actuated devices, other than the exhaust fluid frommotor 93. Thus, the other devices cannot be actuated while the cover isbeing actuated. For example, there are automatic loaders associated withthe machine. These loaders havenot been shown in the drawings inasmuchas their construction per se does not form any part of the presentinvention. The only thing that is pertinent here is that these loadersare actuated hydraulically from pump 262 and therefore the hydrauliccircuit for these loaders is shown in FIG. 18. These loaders essentiallytake a cart full of meat which may weight a few hundred pounds, andthrough hydraulic mechanism lift-and tip the cart to dump this meat intothe bowl and thereafter the .loaders and carts are lowered so that theyreturn to a position where they deposit thecarts on the ground.Accordingly, in the event that it is desired to cause loader or lift No.2 (FIG. 18) to raise for dumping meat into bowl 14, it is merelynecessary to close switch 291 to complete a circuit from lead 214 to L2via lead 292, now closed switch 291, lead 293, up solenoid 294, and lead295. This will cause valve body 296 to shift so that conduit 284 is incommunication with conduit 297 through conduit 298in valve 296. Thiswill cause hydraulic fluid to pass through metering valve 299 intochamber 300 of motor 301 to thereby drive piston 302 upwardly and thehydraulic fluid in chamber 303 will be exhausted through conduit 304,metering valve 305, conduit 306, valve conduit 307 and conduit 308 tothe sump inasmuch as conduit 308 is in communication with conduit 309when valve 310 is in the position shown in the drawings and conduit 309is in communication with conduit 311 When valve 312 is in the positionshown in the drawings, conduit 311 being the conduit which leads back tosump 285. ln the event it is desired to cause loader or lift No.2 tolower, it is merely necessary to close switch 313 to establish a circuitbetween lead 314 and line L2 through lead 314, lead 315, solenoid coil316 and lead 317. This will cause conduits 318 and 319 in valve body 296to move into communication with conduits 284 and 308, respectively,leading to and from valve 296, respectively, thereby placing conduits284 and 308 in communication with conduits 306 and 297, respectively. Itwill be noted that when valve 296 returns to the position shown in FIG.18, and this occurs whenever switch 291 or 313 is released, thehydraulic fluid will lock the cylinder301 in its last position becausecommunication through valve 296 from conduits 297 and 306 is prevented.

,chamber 328 to be exhausted through valve 325. If it is desired tolower the loader or lift No. 1 it is merely necessary to close switch329 to establish a circuit between lead 214 and line L2 via leads 330,331, solenoid 332 and lead 333. A detailed explanation of the operationof valve 325 will not be made at this time inasmuch as it functions inall ways in the same manner as does valve 296 described in detail above.

If it is desired to energize the unloader assembly 18, that is, to movedisc 136 into bowl 14, it is merely necessary to close switch 335 toestablish a circuit between lead 214 and line L2 via lead 336, switch335, lead 337, normally closed switch 338, lead 339, solenoid 340 andlead 341. This will cause hydraulic fluid to be admitted tochar'nber 342of hydraulic motor cylinder 149 (also see FIG. 15). This is achievedbecause solenoid 340 will cause valve 342 (FIG. 18) to shift so thatconduit 309 is in communication. with conduit 343 .to thereby causehydraulic fluid to flow from conduit 309 through valve conduit 344 intoconduit 343, through metering valve 344 and then into conduit 345leading to chamber 342. Exhaust hydraulic liquid will travel fromchamber 346 through conduit 347, metering valve 348, conduit 349, valveconduit 350 into conduit 311 leading to sump 285. In the event it isdesired to raise the-unloading disc 136 out of bowl. 14, it is merelynecessary to close switch 351 to establish a circuit between lead 214and line L2 via leads 352, 353, normally closed switch 354, solenoid 355and lead 356 which will cause valve 342 to establish communicationbetween conduit 309 and 349 and between conduit 343 and conduit 311 soas to cause pressurized hydraulic fluid to move into chamber 346 whilepermitting chamber 342 to be exhausted. Again, it is to be noted thatmotor 149 will be locked in the position in which valve 342 wasneutralized, that is, brought back to the position in which it is shownin FIG. 18. The metering orifices 344 and 348 determine the rate ofspeed at which the unlosder goes into and out of the bowl.

The foregoing description explaining the manner in which the hydrauliccircuit functions assumed that there was a source of pressurizedhydraulic fluid available at pump 262. However, it is to be noted thatpump 262 is energized only on demand. It does not run all the time thatthe machine is running, that is, it will be caused to operate only whenthe switches for the unloader, cover or loaders are actuallymanipulated. As noted above, when there is no demand for hydraulicfluid, the valves shown in FIG. 18 will move to a neutral position andthe hydraulic fluid will be locked in the associated cylinders andpistons to cause the machine elements operated thereby to assume theposition in which they were last placed. Therefore, there is actually noneed to have pump 262 in operation when it is not needed and it can beenergized on demand whenever any of the switches discussed above whichenergize any of the four valves 261, 296, 325 and 342 (FIG. 18) areenergized. Accordingly, it will be noted that there are switches in thecircuit of FIG. 19 which are energized whenever certain other of theswitches are energized to cause a circuit to be completed to hydraulicpump motor 360 (FIG. 19), which drives pump 262 (FIG. 18). Morespeciflcally, assume that switch 254 was energized to raise the cover.Switch 254'which is mechanically linked thereto, will also close at thistime and this will cause a circuit to be completed from lead 214 to lineL2 via leads 361, 362, now closed switch 254leads 363, 364, normallyclosed switch 365, lead 366, pump motor 360, and overload relays 361.Motor 360 will operate only so long as switch 254' remains closed andthis switch opens when switch 254 is released. A similar circuit iscompleted when the cover lower switch 286 is closed because switcharmature 286 is mechanically linked thereto and will closesimultaneously with switch 286 to complete the abovedescribed circuit tomotor 360 which drives pump 262. When switch 286 is released, switch286' is also opened. Analogous circuits to motor 360 are completedbecause switch 320 which causes lift No. 1 to move up is mechanicallycoupled to switch 320 which closes at the same time as switch 320. Ananalogous circuit -is completed to motor 360 because switch 329' isclosed when its counterpart switch 329 is closed to cause lift loaderNo. 2 to move upwardly. Whenever loader No. 1 switch 329 is actuated tocause loader No. 1 to move down, switch 329', which is mechanicallylinked thereto, will close to energize hydraulic pump motor 360.Whenever switch 313 is energized to cause loader No. 2 to movedownwardly, switch 313' will simultaneously be closed because it ismechanically linked to switch 313 to energize hydraulic pump motor 360.Whenever switch 291 is actuated to cause loader No. 2 to move upwardly,switch 329" will close to energize pump 360. By the same token, wheneverthe unloader switch 351 is actuated, switch 35lwhich is mechanicallycoupled thereto, will be actuated to complete a circuit to motor 360.Also, unloader switch 335 is mechanically coupled to switch 335' whichenergizes motor 368 to supply hydraulic fluid whenever switch 335 isactuated.

In accordance with the present invention, all of the foregoing functionswhich were described manually can be per formed in an automatic mannerby the use of a programming arrangement. In other words, the particularfunctions to be performed can be programmed on a plate or the like andthis can be fed to the machine so that there is uniformity of theproducts produced by the machine. This is necessary in certainoperations where a predetermined formula has been established for themeat. For example, it may be necessary that the meat be loaded into themachine and given 20 bowl revolutions at a speed of 10 to 12 revolutionsper minute. In addition, at this time the knives may be set to operateat high speed or possibly operate at high speed for the last half of thecycle and at low speed for the first half of the cycle. In addition, itcan be programmed so for example one load of meat is dumped into thebowl at the beginning of the cycle and another load of different meatwhich does not require as much chopping is dumped into the bowl 114 at alater time in the cycle, after the first load has been cut to apredetermined size. All of the foregoing is by way of example and thismethod will be understood more fully hereafter.

In order to switch from manual operation, which was described in detailabove, to automatic operation, master switch 172 is moved so thatarmature 370 thereof moves into engagement with contacts 371. Thisautomatically removes armature 172 from contacts 173 so that manualoperation can no longer be performed from the control panel 170. Whenarmature 370'is moved onto contacts 371, line L1 is connected to lead374 via lead 179, armature 370 and lead 375. This will cause theprogrammer 374" to be energized because current can pass through it fromline 374 to line L2 via leads 376 and 377. As can be seen from FlGi-20,the programmer includes an electric motor 378 having a gear reducer 379driven thereby which in turn mounts'a gear 380 on its output shaft 381,gear 380 being in mesh with-teeth 382 on a program plate or card 383which is inserted into the programmer. The program plate 383, which isessentially a plastic plate, has a plurality of ridges 384, 385, 386,387, 388 and 389 thereon, each having a cutaway portion designated by aprimed numeral corresponding to the number of theridge. The card isinserted into the suitable programmer and as soon as the card is placedin proper position, it will actuate a switch, not shown, which energizesthe programmer and energizes motor 378 to drive the plate 383 throughthe programmer at a predetermined speed. This causes the card 383 totravel through the programmer in the direction of the ridges. Sincemotor 378 has a predetermined rpm, the length of any of the ridges ofcard 383 is a measure of time as are the cutout portions designated bythe primed numerals. Each ridge 384389 is associated with a separateswitch in the circuit of the programmer. For example, switch 365 iscontrolled by ridge 384; switch 354 by ridge 385; switch 338 by ridge386 and so forth. The switches shown in alignment with arrow 390 in FIG.19 all assume their solid line positions when they are not actuated bycard 383 and they will assume an opposite position when they areenergized. By way of reference, they remain in their solid-line positionwhen they ride on any of ridges 384-389 but will move to the oppositeposition when they fall into a cutaway portion 384'-389 of any of theridges. Therefore, assume that a plate, such as 383, isplaced intotheprogrammer and it starts to run. If plate 383 calls for operating pumpmotor 360, switch 365 will be moved from its solid-line position to itsdotted line position to complete a circuit to this motor 360 from line374. Motor 360 is energized only when the unloader assembly 18 or thecover motor or the lift motors are energized. Therefore, it can be seenthat switch 354 may be moved to its dotted line position to energize theunloader up solenoid 355 simultaneously with motor 360. Furthermore, thedown unloader solenoid 340 may be energized by armature 338 moving toits dotted line position in response to the action of card 383. As canbe seen from the remainder of the circuit which is established acrosslines 374 and L2, any combination of electric circuits can beestablished by the switches which are actuated by the ridges and groovesof card 383.

In addition, it is to be noted that a number of other functions areprovided in lines 400, 401, 402 and 403 and these functions areactivated whenever the armatures designated by like-primed numerals areactivated by a card or plate such as 383. These functions may be thecontrolling of a solenoid valve to add water for a predetermined time tobowl 14 for mixture with the meat, said water emanating armatures asource under a controlled pressure so that the volume thereof can beaccurately controlled. In addition, another of the switches for example402 may control the door from a hopper to dump a predetermined amount ofmilk powder or other extenders into the meat product. In addition,certain of the switches, for example, 402 can be used to energize thebowl motor 45 to run faster and another can energize the motor to runslower. Furthermore, the knife speed can be controlled by theprogramming plate 383. In this respect, it is to be noted that armatures186 and 198 are controlled by the card 383 to selectively cause theelectric motor to drive the knife assembly 15 fast or slow, depending onwhich of these is closed. ltcan be seen that armatures 186 and 198establish the circuits to the fast and slow windings of the motorthrough lead 405 running from terminal 371, the automatic terminal.

In addition, it is to be especially noted that the bowl speed isdetermined by the programmer. In this respect, two of the ridges on theprogram card 383 activate switches in the program circuit which drivesthe Bodine motor 239 (FIG. 18) for adjusting the size of orifice 241associated with pump 222 (FIG. 18). One ridge is associated with acircuit including switch 410 which causes the Bodine motor to be speededup and switch 411 causes it to run towardslow. Toward the end of eachcycle performed by card 383-the motor circuit to motor 239 is completedthrough low switch 411 to cause motor 239 (FIG. 18) to drive gearreducer 240 in a direction to tend to close the orifice, to therebyindex the orifice 241 at an opening corresponding to the lowest r.p.m.of the bowl which is r.p.m. Thereafter, at the start of the next cycle aridge and groove on card 383 will energize a switch, such as 410, whichdrives motor 239 to increase the orifice size until the desired rate ofspeed is achieved. It will be appreciated that plate 383 runs throughthe programmer at a predetermined speed. Therefore, the length of theridges and grooves are a measure of time. Motor 239 which controlsorifice 241 in pumps 222 also runs at a predetermined speed andtherefore the amount which orifice 241 opens is a function of timemeasured from the lowest opening, 5 rpm, to which it was previously set.Thus after the orifice has been indexed at 5 r.p.m. at the end of aprevious cycle, the length of time that switch 411 is closed at thebeginning of the next cycle will determine the size of orifice 241 andthe corresponding bowl speed. If desired, at a later time in the cycle,motor 239 can again be energized through switches 410 or 411 so as tocause a change in speed of the bowl. Positive stops, not shown, areassociated with gear reducer 240 to cause it to stop when orifice 241reaches a size corresponding to 5 or r.p.m. In short, the cardcontroller 383 can be utilized to provide any combination of functionssuch as low speed or high speed knife speeds, and bowl speeds anywherebetween 5 and 20 r.p.m. it can cause either of the loaders to load. Itcan cause the unloader to move into the bowl or out of the bowl, at apredetermined time. ln addition, the relays (not numbered) in any of thelines 401403 can be used to energize suitable conveyors (not shown)simultaneously with the energization of unloader assembly 18, therebycarrying the meat to a subsequent workstation.

The above-described type of automatic operation takes the guesswork .outof cutting meat to a predetermined formula.

it is to be noted that there is a greater clearance between the tips ofknives 79 and bowl 14 than between rim 62 and bearings 65. Thus thebearings will engage rim 62 and support bowl 14 in the event of tiltingdue to unbalance, before the knives 79 can be damaged by engaging thetilted bowl.

lt can thus be seen that the improved meat cutting machine of thepresent invention is manifestly capable of achieving the aboveenumerated objects and while preferred embodiments have been disclosed,it will be appreciated that it is not limited thereto but may beotherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims:

lclaim:

1. A meat cutting machine comprising a housing, an annular horizontalbowl mounted on said housing, knife means, means mounting saidknifemeans on said housing with the knife means extending transverselyinto said 'bowl, electric motor means for driving said knife means,variable speed hydraulic means for driving said bowl, auxiliaryhydraulic means in said machine, a knife cover on said housing, anunloader on said housing, said auxiliary hydraulic means comprising afirst hydraulic motor for actuating said knife cover and a secondhydraulic motor for actuating said unloader, said auxiliary hydraulicmeans including a pump means which is independent of said variable speedhydraulic means, and control means for selectively energizing said pumpmeans only when said first and second motor means are to be actuated.

2. A meat cutting machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housingincludes a bowl ring, an edge on said bowl ring, a first rim on saidbowl, a labyrinth seal formed between said first rim and said bowl ringedge, a second rim on said bowl,

bearing means on said bowl ring, a first clearance between said secondrun and said bearing means, a second clearance between said first rimand said bowl ring edge forming said labyrinth seal, with said secondclearance being greater than said first clearance whereby said bowl willbe supported by said bearing means in the event of any unbalance beforethe sides of said labyrinth seal come into engagement.

3. A meat cutting machine comprising a housing, an annular horizontalbowl mounted on said housing, knife means, means mounting said knifemeans on said housing with the knife means extending transversely intosaid how], electric motor means for driving said knife means, variablespeed hydraulic means for driving said bowl, auxiliary hydraulic meansin said machine, a knife cover on said housing, an unloader on saidhousing, said auxiliary hydraulic means comprising a first hydraulicmotor for actuating said knife cover and a second hydraulic motor foractuating said unloader, said housing including a bowl ring, a first rimon said bowl, an edge on said bowl ring forming a labyrinth seal withsaid first rim, bearing means mounted on said bowl ring, a second rim onsaid bowl, and a clearance between said bearing means and said secondrim whereby said second rim does not engage said bearing means unlesssaid bowl is cocked by an unbalanced load.

4. A meat cutting machine as set forth in claim 3 including a secondclearance between said first rim and said edge forming said labyrinthseal and wherein said second clearance is greater than said firstclearance whereby said bowl will be supported by said bearing means inthe event of any unbalance before the sides of said labyrinth seal comeinto engagement.

5. A meat cutting machine as set forth in claim 4, including anauxiliary hydraulic pump for driving-said first and second motors.

6. A meat cutting machine comprising a housing, a bowl mounted forrotation on said housing, an hydraulic motor for driving said bowl, apump, hydraulic conduit means coupling said pump to said hydraulicmotor,-variable orifice means in said conduit means for selectivelyvarying the flow between said pump and said hydraulic motor means tothereby vary the speed of said motor means, orifice actuating means forvarying the size of said orifice means to thereby control the speed ofsaid motor, first means for limiting the amount which said variableorifice means can open and second means for limiting the amount whichsaid variable orifice. means can close whereby the limits of speed forsaid bowl are established, programming means for establishing apredetermined bowl speed including means for causing said orificeactuating means to close said variable orifice means until said secondmeans are effective to limit the size of said orifice means, and meansfor causing said orifice actuating means to move said orifice meanstoward a more open condition for a predetermined period of time atpredetermined rate of speed to thereby cause said orifice means toassume a predetermined opening which controls the bowl speed.

